Adjustable vehicle side view mirror

ABSTRACT

An adjustable side view mirror for use with a vehicle is disclosed. The side view mirror comprises a mirror having a periphery with a flexible member having a first end and a second end with the flexible member being in contact with a portion of the periphery of the mirror. A frame having an opening receives the mirror together with the flexible member in contact with a portion of the periphery of the mirror. An adjusting means is positioned on the frame for adjusting the distance separating the first and the second ends of the flexible member to thereby increase the distance separating the first and the second ends of the flexible member thereby decreasing the tension of the flexible member on the mirror to enable the mirror to be moved to a desired position and to thereby decrease the distance separating the first and the second ends of the flexible member to thereby increasing the tension of the flexible member on the mirror to stabilize the mirror against further movement.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a vehicle side view mirror,particularly to a device for correcting and fixing the position of thevehicle side view mirror which is constructed in such a way that theside view mirror can be fixed by providing a flexible member along theentire side of the side view mirror in the space between the case andthe side view mirror so that the side view mirror does not move in thecase even when it is given an impact, and that the angle of the sideview mirror can be easily adjusted by a driver.

The angle of the presently used vehicle side view mirror must beadjusted frequently according to the driver's physical structure, thestate of the driver's seat and exterior impact. For a driver to adjustthe angle of the side view mirror, he has to correct the angle of theside view mirror first, then he has to check the reflected image whileseated in the driver's seat, and then he has to repeat the action ofcorrecting the angle of the side view mirror. Furthermore, because theangle of the side view mirror is adapt to be changed due to a slightimpact, the exact reflected image must be duplicated by repeating theabove procedure until the desired image is attained. Also, the angle ofthe side view mirror may need adjustment after cleaning the exterior ofthe vehicle or after an impact to the mirror or the supporting structurethereof.

A device for remote adjustment of the side view mirror is expensivemaking it uneconomical to install the mirror to the medium or smallvehicles. Furthermore, there are disadvantages in the remote adjustingdevices of the prior art (manual or automatic) since those devicesrequire installation from the mounting position through the vehicle bodyand into the vehicle cab, which is a multi step and costly process.Also, repairing such devices is costly due to their complicated design.Another problem with this type of remote adjusting device is that thedriver is tempted to correct the reflected image or view of the mirrorwhile driving.

An object of the present invention is to provide a mirror device foreasily correcting and securing the position of the vehicle side viewmirror such that the reflected image of the side view mirror can beeasily adjusted to the desired position, and once corrected is securelymaintained in the adjusted state.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a mirror devicewhich includes position correction lines positioned about the peripheryof the mirror to enable easy readjustment of the mirror by providing theapproximate position of the mirror relative to the correction linesprior to misalignment of the mirror such that the mirror can be sopositioned thereby shorting the adjustment process.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is defined by the appended claims with a specificembodiment illustrated in the attached drawings. For the purpose ofsummarizing the invention, the invention may be incorporated into anadjustable side view mirror for use with a vehicle. The mirror comprisesa mirror having a periphery and a flexible member in contact with aportion of the periphery of the mirror. The flexible member has a firstend and a second end. A frame having an opening receives the mirror andthe flexible member in contact with a portion of the periphery of themirror. An adjusting means is positioned on the frame for adjusting thedistance separating the first and the second ends of the flexible membersuch that in use the mirror may be adjusted by manipulating theadjusting means to increase the distance separating the first and thesecond ends of the flexible member thereby decreasing the tension of theflexible member on the mirror to enable the mirror to be moved to adesired position and securing the mirror by manipulating the adjustingmeans to decrease the distance separating the first and the second endsof the flexible member to thereby increasing the tension of the flexiblemember on the mirror to stabilize the mirror against further movement.

The mirror preferably including a mirror securing means to pivotallysecure mirror to the frame to enable pivotal adjustment of the mirrorrelative to the frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the side view mirror and the frameaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged sectional view along the line A--A ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view taken alone line B--B of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the flexible member used in the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A detailed description with reference to the attached drawings is givenbelow.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the vehicle side view mirror accordingto the present invention and includes a mirror 1 having a periphery 3Dwith a flexible member 3 in contact with a portion 3E of the periphery3D of the mirror 1. The flexible member 3 includes a first end 3A and asecond end 3B. A frame 2 having an opening 2A receives the mirror 1 andthe flexible member 3 in contact with a portion 3E of the periphery 3Dof the mirror 1. An adjusting means 24 is positioned on the frame 2 foradjusting the distance separating the first 3A and the second 3B ends ofthe flexible member 3. Preferably, the adjusting means 24 is the drivingmember 4. A mirror securing means 26 pivotally secures the mirror 1 tothe frame 2.

A housing 10 of the predetermined length and height is provided on frame2 to receive the adjusting means 24. The adjusting means 24 preferablyincludes the driving member 4 with opposed screw sections 4' andfollowers 5 secured to the first and second ends of the flexible member3. Between the interior surface of the frame 2 and the periphery 1A ofthe side view mirror 1 a flexible member 3 such as rubber is positioned.On the surface 3C of the flexible member 3 a plurality of contrastingcolored or numbered position correction lines 3' may be formed to aid inreadjusting the mirror, should such readjustment become necessary.

The flexible member 3 is in close contact with the interior surface ofthe frame 2. On the bottom of the frame 2 is provided a fixing screw 9for securing the bottom portion 3B of flexible member 3 to the frame,and on the top of the frame is provided a driving member 4, describedbelow, to secure both ends of the flexible member 3. In this manner theflexible member 3 installed along the interior surface of the frame 2 isprevented from moving out of frame 2.

When the side view mirror 1 is moved, the angle of the side view mirror1 can be easily corrected by bringing periphery of the side view mirror1 to the number of color of the position correcting line 3' which themirror was previously positioned prior to movement.

FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view taken along the line A--A of FIG. 1,showing the first and the second ends of the flexible member 3.

The driving member 4 and the flexible member 3 with the resilientmembers 7, are received into the housing formed between the frame 2 andthe side view mirror 1.

Thus, positioned in the housing 10 of the frame 2, is the driving member4. Preferably, the driving member 4 is cylindrical with each end of thecylinder including cylindrical driving screws 4' each of which are of apredetermined length. The threads formed on each driving screw 4' of thedriving member 4 are opposite relative to each other in order that uponrotation of the driving member each follower 5 moves toward or away fromeach other as determined by the direction of rotation of the drivingmember.

A supporting nipple 8 is provided on each end 4A of the cylindricaldriving screws 4'. Each supporting nipple is received into a recess 8'which is formed on the surface of the frame 2 corresponding to thesupporting nipple 8, so that the driving member 4 rotates about thesupporting nipple 8.

Each driving screw 4' is in operative contact with the flat followermember 5 so that each follower member 5 moves in relation to themovement, i.e., rotation, of the driving screw 4'. When the drivingmember 4 rotates, each flat follower member 5 moves along an axialdirection but in opposite directions relative to each other.

In the portion of the frame where the driving screw 4' and the followermembers 5 contact with each other, a supporting member 6 supports thedriving screw section 4' and follower 5 which are in operative contactwith each other. Supporting member 6 is fixed to the top 2' of the frame2. On the portion of the follower member 5 abutting the inner surface 6'of the supporting member 6, a protrusion 5' is provided on the portionof follower member 5 which is in contact with the inner surface 6' ofthe supporting member 6 so that the surface friction force between thesupporting member 6 and the follower member 5 may be reduced.

The outer end 5" of the follower member 5 is secured to the resilientmember 7 which is secured to the flexible member 3.

Now, the function and operation of the present invention is describedwith reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

Flexible member 3 is inserted in the space between the frame 2 and themirror 1, with the ends 3A, 3B of the flexible member 3 secured to therespective ends of the follower members 5, as illustrated at FIG. 4.

Thus, if the driver adjusts the position of the side view mirror inaccordance with the position correcting lines 3' and rotates drivingmember 4 thereby rotating the driving screws and, because the screwthreads formed on each of the driving screws 4' are turned oppositerelative to each other, each follower member 5 moves toward the drivingmember 4 thereby tensioning each resilient member 7 fixed to thefollower member 5 and eventually the side view mirror 1 is fixed orsecured.

FIG. 3 is a partial side view of FIG. 2 to further illustrate theconstruction of the mirror according to the present invention includingthe construction of the supporting member 6 described above and themirror securing means 26 which pivotally secures the mirror 1 to theframe 2 to enable pivotal adjustment of the mirror relative to theframe. Preferably, the mirror securing means 26 is a ball 30 which isreceived into a socket 28.

To ensure that the driving screws 4' and the follower member 5 are inoperative contact to enable axial movement of the follower members 5upon rotation of the driving member 4, the supporting members 6 arerespectively positioned along the bottom of the follower member 5 andare secured to the frame 2'. The supporting members 6 force the follower5 against the threads of the driving screws. To minimize surfacefriction between the moving follower member 5 and the stationarysupporting member 6, protrusions 5' are formed on the bottom of thefollower member 5.

In the present invention as described above, both sides of the side viewmirror 1 are acted upon at the same time by rotation of the drivingmember 4 so that the position of the side view mirror 1 may be easilychanged or secured depending on the direction of the rotation of thedriving member 4.

Once the mirror has been adjusted, by utilizing the principle of thepresent invention the side view mirror 1 can be secured without changingthe adjustment since the driving member 4 evenly tensions the flexiblemember 3.

If the driver wants to change the angle of the side view mirror 1, theposition of the side view mirror 1 can be changed with ease because themirror 1 can be easily loosened by turning the driving member 4 in theopposite direction to that for securing the mirror. It is to be notedhere that to prevent snow or rain from entering in the inside of theside view mirror 1, a cover or the like may be installed to shield thetop of the housing 10 in which the driving member 4 is formed.

The position of the adjusting means 24 may be positioned on either sideof or the bottom the frame 2 according to the position which bestcorresponds to the kind of the vehicle upon which the mirror will beused.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the flexible member 3 in which theposition correction lines 3' described in FIG. 1 is shown. The thicknessof the flexible member 3 shall be such as not to interfere the movementof the side view mirror. The resilient member 7 in the form of the thinplate is installed in the flexible member 3 and both ends of theresilient member 7 are connected to the respective follower member 5 toperform the function of securing the mirror against movement orreleasing the mirror to enable adjusting movement of the side viewmirror 1. Apertures 9' are formed through the flexible member 3 in orderthat fixing screws 9 may be received therethrough and secure theflexible member 3 to the frame 2.

Further, the width of the flexible member 3 shall be such as to fullyencompass the side view mirror 1 when the side of the side view mirror 1moves forward, aft, left and right (for example, within 5 Cm). Theposition correcting lines 3' provided along the width of the surface ofthe flexible member are formed in the form of rims spaced apart at aconstant interval, and numbers may be assigned on each positioncorrecting line. Various colors of the rim may be also used to enhancethe appearance of the device as well as indicating the desired adjustedposition of the mirror.

The present invention as described above has the effect that the angleof the side view mirror can be corrected with ease to the positionsestablished in the frame, and that the established position of the sideview mirror can be fixed with ease.

It is important to note that the mounting means for securing the mirrordevice to the vehicle are well known. For sake of brevity, such mountingmeans are not otherwise disclosed as their design and function are wellknown to those skilled in the art.

The technical gist of the present invention is not limited to theattached drawings and the descriptions of the drawings, and variousalterations are possible without changing the technical gist and thecharacteristics of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An adjustable side view mirror for use with avehicle, said mirror comprising:a mirror having a periphery; a flexiblemember in contact with a portion of said periphery of said mirror andhaving a first end and a second end; a frame having an opening toreceive said mirror and said flexible member in contact with a portionof said periphery of said mirror; and an adjusting means positioned onsaid frame for adjusting the distance separating said first and saidsecond ends of said flexible member such that in use said mirror isadjusted by manipulating said adjusting means to increase the distanceseparating said first and said second ends of said flexible memberthereby decreasing the tension of the flexible member on said mirror toenable said mirror to be moved to a desired position and securing saidmirror by manipulating said adjusting means to decrease the distanceseparating said first and said second ends of said flexible member tothereby increasing the tension of the flexible member on said mirror tostabilize said mirror against further movement.
 2. The mirror of claim 1further including a mirror securing means to pivotally secure saidmirror to said frame to enable pivotal adjustment of said mirrorrelative to said frame.
 3. The flexible member of claim 1 furtherincluding a plurality of equally spaced relative to one another positioncorrection lines 3' formed on said flexible member.